Splash and dash! Pattaya swamped as storm lashes city (video)
A torrential morning downpour left Pattaya swamped as a storm left roads underwater, traffic crawling, and snakes slithering into the chaos. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) revealed that there’s more to come.
A heavy rainstorm hammered Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri for over an hour starting at 9.36am, yesterday, May 14, flooding large swathes of Pattaya and grinding morning life to a slippery halt.
Low-lying zones like Railway Road, Khao Talo, Wat Tham Samakkee, South Pattaya’s Sukhumvit Road, and Soi Phetchaburi near the Moom Aroi junction were worst hit, with water levels rising from ankle-deep puddles to waist-high torrents, between 10 and 70 centimetres, Pattaya News reported.
The flood-prone areas, shaped like natural bowls, struggled to drain the relentless downpour, forcing officials to act fast. Barriers and warning signs were set up, some roads were closed altogether, and drivers were urged to turn back rather than brave the deep water.
Even where roads stayed open, traffic crawled along at a snail’s pace. Vehicles were only allowed through once the floodwaters dropped to safer levels.
The TMD has warned the worst might not be over. Over the next 24 hours, more heavy rain is expected across 50 provinces, including Bangkok and surrounding areas, with flash floods and mountain runoffs a real risk.
The culprit? A powerful southwest monsoon currently blanketing the Andaman Sea and much of Thailand, combined with southeast winds pushing storms into the lower northeast, eastern provinces, and the Gulf of Thailand.
As of press time, the skies over Bang Lamung remained gloomy, with light showers and an ominous forecast hanging overhead.
Locals are being advised to steer clear of high-risk areas, carry umbrellas or rain gear, and keep a wary eye out for venomous reptiles, which are known to emerge when floodwaters rise.
Meanwhile, mariners have been urged to proceed with caution in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, where waves are expected to reach 2 metres or higher in stormy patches.
So whether you’re on land or at sea, it’s best to keep your wits about you and your wellies close.
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